Histological expression of angiogenic factors: VEGF, PDGFRalpha, and HIF-1alpha in Hodgkin lymphoma.
Angiogenesis is a prerequisite for solid tumor growth, but there is relatively limited data regarding Hodgkin lymphoma. The purpose of this study was to examine the immunohistochemical expression of angiogenic and proliferation markers in Hodgkin biopsies in relation to clinical parameters. Immunostaining was performed on 65 Hodgkin biopsies with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1alpha), platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRalpha), Ki-67, and p53. Microvessel density (MVD) was determined by CD31 staining. In all cases, neoplastic cells and reactive background cells were evaluated. The neoplastic population expressed VEGF in 48% of the cases, HIF-1alpha in 54% of the cases, and PDGFRalpha in 95% of the cases. Both Ki-67 and p53 were positive in neoplastic cells in over 60% of the cases. The MVD had a median of 2.6/0.0625mm(2) which was not different from normal lymph nodes. VEGF in the non-neoplastic compartment showed increased staining in Ann Arbor stage I-II versus III-IV. In conclusion, VEGF, HIF-1alpha, and predominantly PDGFRalpha are expressed in neoplastic cells in the majority of Hodgkin lymphomas. As microvessel formation is not increased in Hodgkin, additional functions of these angiogenic molecules should be investigated.
Passam
Freda H
FH
3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School of Athens, Sotiria Hospital, Athens, Greece. freda@med.uoc.gr
Alexandrakis
Michael G
MG
Kafousi
Maria
M
Fotinou
Marianthi
M
Darivianaki
Katerina
K
Tsirakis
George
G
Roussou
Paraskevi A
PA
Stathopoulos
Efstathios N
EN
Siafakas
Nikolaos M
NM
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / Q000032:analysis*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D055806:Microvessels / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis; D020796:Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha / Q000032:analysis*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000032:analysis; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000032:analysis*
C497442:HIF1A protein, human; D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; C495901:TP53 protein, human; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D020796:Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha